Garment with attached pouch for stowage

ABSTRACT

A stowable and wearable item includes a garment configured to be worn by a user. The garment includes an inner surface opposite an outer surface. The inner surface is facing the user when worn by the user. A pouch is coupled to the inner surface. The pouch includes an opening defined by an upper rim. The opening leads into an internal compartment of the pouch. The garment includes a deployed position and a stowed position. The deployed position includes the garment outside of the pouch. The stowed position includes the garment disposed within the internal compartment of the pouch.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 62/789,858, filed Jan. 8, 2019, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to convenient garments and, more particularly, to a garment with an attached pouch for stowage.

Weather can be unpredictable. Due to this, individuals may be unprepared for when the weather suddenly changes. In certain circumstances, the individual may be confined in a certain location or at an event where there is no easy way of remaining warm or dry.

Currently, individuals may wear or carry a hoodie or rain jacket, in case it gets cold or rainy. The individual may be uncomfortable if the conditions are warm. A user may carry the hoodie or jacket by hand or wrap the hoodie or jacket around their waist. However, the hoodie or jacket may fall and get lost. Therefore, the user must pay careful attention to their hoodie or jacket while they would rather be directing their attention elsewhere.

As can be seen, there is a need for a garment with an attached pocket for stowage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a stowable and wearable item comprises: a garment configured to be worn by a user, wherein the garment comprises an inner surface opposite an outer surface, wherein the inner surface is facing the user when worn by the user; and a pouch coupled to the inner surface, the pouch comprising an opening defined by an upper rim, the opening leading into an internal compartment, wherein the garment comprises a deployed position and a stowed position, the deployed position comprising the garment outside of the pouch, and the stowed position comprising the garment disposed within the internal compartment of the pouch.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of stowing a wearable item comprises steps of: providing a garment comprising an inner surface opposite an outer surface and a pouch coupled to the inner surface, the pouch comprising an opening defined by an upper rim, the opening leading into an internal compartment; folding the garment inside out until the pouch is exposed; and placing the garment through the opening and into the internal compartment.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention in a deployed position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention in a stowed position;

FIG. 3 is a section view of the present invention, taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4A is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention in a deployed position;

FIG. 4B is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention transitioning from a deployed position to a stowed position;

FIG. 4C is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention transitioning from a deployed position to a stowed position;

FIG. 4D is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention transitioning from a deployed position to a stowed position;

FIG. 4E is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention transitioning from a deployed position to a stowed position;

FIG. 4F is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention transitioning from a deployed position to a stowed position;

FIG. 4G is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention transitioning from a deployed position to a stowed position;

FIG. 4H is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention in a stowed position;

FIG. 5 is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention in a stowed position;

FIG. 6 is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention in a stowed position;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention in a deployed position;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention in a deployed position; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention in a deployed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

The present invention includes a garment that folds into its inner pocket to form a compact travel pouch. The pouch may be closed and can attach to a belt loop or luggage. The present invention allows individuals to have the ability to conveniently carry a portable and wearable garment or clothing article in a pouch form and quickly convert the pouch into a protective and wearable garment.

The present invention may include the following exemplary steps:

-   -   1. The pouch may include a clip that attaches to luggage or a         belt loop of pants. Attach the pouch to the luggage or belt loop         using the clip.     -   2. Detach the pouch when needed for use.     -   3. Open the pouch.     -   4. Unfold the pouch until it reveals the stored         hoodie/sweatshirt inside.     -   5. Put the hoodie/sweatshirt on to wear with the pouch on the         inside of the garment. The pouch may be tucked away as a pocket         and is not visible while wearing.     -   6. The pouch may be used as a pocket of the hoodie in the         traditional sense. When you place an item in the hoodie pocket,         it fits in the internal pouch nonvisible as its now in the inner         portion of the hoodie.     -   7. When you would like to remove the hoodie/sweatshirt, you can         take it off and fold it into the pouch.     -   8. Close the pouch and conveniently attach to the user via the         clip for travel.

The present invention features the pouch for convenient carry and storage. The pouch can be zipped, hook and loop fastened, or draw string closed. The size of the pouch depends on the garment or item inside. The material used for the exterior of the pouch is water/weather resistant. The steps further include turning the pouch into a wearable garment or item. Individuals decide when most appropriate to wear the garment mainly due to trying to stay warm, dry or use it as an item for comfort use. The garment may then be turned back into a pouch.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, the present invention includes a stowable and wearable item. The stowable and wearable item includes a garment 16, 18 configured to be worn by a user. The garment 16, 18 includes an inner surface opposite an outer surface. The inner surface is facing the user when worn by the user. A pouch 10 is coupled to the inner surface. The pouch 10 includes an opening 12 defined by an upper rim. The opening 12 leads into an internal compartment of the pouch 10. The garment 16, 18 includes a deployed position and a stowed position. The deployed position includes the garment 16, 18 outside of the pouch 10. The stowed position includes the garment 16, 18 disposed within the internal compartment of the pouch 10.

The pouch 10 of the present invention may further include a closure 14, 26, 28. The closure 14, 26, 28 releasably couples the upper rim together in a closed position and uncouples the upper rim in an open position. Therefore, when the present invention is in the stowed position with the garment 16, 18 inside of the internal compartment, the user may close the closure 14, 26, 28 and contain the garment 16, 18 inside the pouch 10. When the user would like to remove the garment 16, 18 from the pouch 10, the user may open the closure 14, 26, 28 to the open position and remove the garment 16. The closure 14, 26, 28 may include a zipper 14, a hook and loop fastener 26, tie strings 28, and the like.

In certain embodiments, the pouch 10 may act as a pocket when the user is wearing the garment 16, 18. The upper rim of the pouch 10 may include a front portion and a rear portion. The rear portion of the upper rim may be stitched 24 to the inner surface of the garment 16, 18. The stitching 24 may be about one inch below the upper rim. The garment 16, 18 may further include a slit 22 that aligns with the opening of the pouch 10 when the garment 16, 18 is in the deployed position. Since the slit 22 leads to the internal compartment of the pouch 10, the present invention may be used as a pocket of the garment 16, 18.

The garment 16, 18 of the present invention may include a body portion 16 and a pair of sleeves 18 extending from the body portion 16. The body portion 16 is configured to cover a torso of the user and the pair of sleeves 18 are configured to cover arms of a user. As illustrated in FIG. 1 through 4, the garment 16, 18 may include a hooded sweatshirt with a hood 20. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the present invention may include a t-shirt 30 with the slit 34 and pouch 32. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the present invention may include a sweatshirt 40 with a slit 44 and pouch 42. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the present invention may include a zip up sweatshirt 50 with a slit 54 and pouch 52.

The method of stowing a wearable item comprises steps of: providing a garment comprising an inner surface opposite an outer surface and a pouch coupled to the inner surface, the pouch comprising an opening defined by an upper rim, the opening leading into an internal compartment; folding the garment inside out until the pouch is exposed; and placing the garment through the opening and into the internal compartment.

A method of making the present invention may include the following. To make the present invention, provide a garment and a pouch. The pouch is closed on all side except for one open side (the opening). The opening includes the closure. The closure may be the hook and loop fastener, zipper, or drawstring. The garment includes a pocket slit on the front, left right or middle of the garment or item. The slit is about the same size as the pouch that is attached to the inside of the garment. The open end of the pouch may be sewn to the inside of the garment aligning with the slit. The stitching may attach the two pieces from the inside of the pouch. The pouch may be sewn about one inch from the top of the upper rim. This leaves the ability to fold the hoodie/sweatshirt into the pouch and still have the ability to close it without compromising the closing functionality of the present invention. The pouch is wide enough to hold the garment. The garment may come in different sizes to accommodate all sized users.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplar embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A stowable and wearable item comprising: a garment configured to be worn by a user, wherein the garment comprises an inner surface opposite an outer surface, wherein the inner surface is facing the user when worn by the user; and a pouch coupled to the inner surface, the pouch comprising an opening defined by an upper rim, the opening leading into an internal compartment, wherein the garment comprises a deployed position and a stowed position, the deployed position comprising the garment outside of the pouch, and the stowed position comprising the garment disposed within the internal compartment of the pouch.
 2. The stowable and wearable item of claim 1, wherein the garment comprises a body portion and a pair of sleeves extending from the body portion.
 3. The stowable and wearable item of claim 2, wherein the body portion is configured to cover a torso of the user and the pair of sleeves are configured to cover arms of a user.
 4. The stowable and wearable item of claim 3, wherein the garment is a hooded sweatshirt.
 5. The stowable and wearable item of claim 1, further comprising a closure releasably coupling the upper rim together in a closed position and uncoupling the upper rim in an open position.
 6. The stowable and wearable item of claim 5, wherein the closure is at least one of a zipper, a hook and loop fastener, and tie strings.
 7. The stowable and wearable item of claim 1, wherein the upper rim comprises a front portion and a rear portion, wherein the rear portion of the upper rim is stitched to the inner surface.
 8. The stowable and wearable item of claim 7, wherein the garment further comprises a slit aligning with the opening of the pouch when the garment is in the deployed position.
 9. A method of stowing a wearable item comprising steps of: providing a garment comprising an inner surface opposite an outer surface and a pouch coupled to the inner surface, the pouch comprising an opening defined by an upper rim, the opening leading into an internal compartment; folding the garment inside out until the pouch is exposed; and placing the garment through the opening and into the internal compartment.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the garment is a hooded sweatshirt. 